Eagles earn share of another 3-5A title with blowout victory

Eagles earn share of another 3-5A title with blowout victory

Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News
Abilene High defensive back Michael Seely (8) hits Cooper running back Matt Watson (20) for a loss during the third quarter of the Eagles' 62-6 win on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, at Shotwell Stadium.

Tommy Metthe/Abilene Reporter-News

LEFT: Cooper running back Matt Watson is tackled for a loss by Abilene High defenders Charles McGill, Austin Winegart and Ryan Childress during the third quarter.

Tommy Metthe/Abilene Reporter-News

Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News
Abilene High running back Marcell Porter (28) leaps over Cooper defensive back Fred Lawrence (3) for a touchdown during the third quarter of the Eagles' 62-6 win on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, at Shotwell Stadium.

Tommy Metthe/Abilene Reporter-News

photos by Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News
Abilene High running back Paxton Grayer shoves away Cooper defensive back Mekiyah Brooks during the first quarter of Friday night's game at Shotwell Stadium.

Friday's crosstown showdown figured to have plenty of offensive fireworks as the Abilene High Eagles and Cooper Cougars battled for first place in District 3-5A.

The Abilene High Eagles did their part, scoring on their first seven possessions on the way to a 62-6 demolition of the Cooper Cougars before a packed house at Shotwell Stadium.

"My coaches had a tremendous game plan tonight and those players executed it to perfection," AHS coach Steve Warren said. "I'm so proud of my staff. They busted their tails this week and got those guys ready to go.

"It was a complete victory for us tonight. They were ready to play. We had a great week of work and it showed up tonight. We played like a championship football team."

The Eagles (6-3 overall, 4-0 district) earned that designation, clinching at least a share of the district title for the fifth consecutive season and wrapping up 3-5A's No. 1 seed for the Class 5A Division II playoff bracket.

Cooper (6-3, 3-1) had its six-game winning streak snapped. The Cougars, already assured of a spot in the Division II bracket, will be the district's No. 2 seed regardless of what happens next week against Midland High.

"We came out here and didn't play very well tonight, plain and simple," Cooper coach Todd Moees said. "We turned the ball over and didn't tackle very well. Abilene High did a great job of executing their game plan. They're a great football team. We didn't play well in all three phases of the game, and that's what happens when you don't play well."

"We have to grow up from it, respond and get ready for a good Midland High team."

Abilene High, which posted the largest margin of victory in 51 meetings between the schools, forced eight Cooper turnovers with cornerback Conlan Aguirre coming up with two interceptions and a fumble recovery. The Eagle defense held the Cougars to 229 total yards, while the possessions following the turnovers averaged starting at the Cooper 39.

"Our guys were extremely aggressive defensively tonight," Warren said. "We came after them. Our goal was to make them uncomfortable offensively and we achieved that. It goes back to the plan we had in place and the kids executing."

The Eagles posted the second-highest offensive production in school history with 643 yards, 30 shy of their total against Odessa High in the district opener. Quarterback Evin Abbe and receiver Tyler McGary each had career performances.

Abbe was 21 of 29 passing for 349 yards and two TDs and ran for another score. McGary had 10 receptions for 198 yards and a score.

"We didn't play the game too early," Abbe said. "We saved everything for tonight and did what we had to do when it came time."

Abbe, who went over the 300 mark for the third game in a row, passed himself for the second-highest passing yardage total in a game. McGary finished one catch and 18 yards shy of the single-game receiving records held by Jerale Badon.

"It was pretty much a picture-perfect night," McGary said. "We came out and executed and did exactly what they told us to do."

Keevan Lucas added four catches for 117 yards with a TD, while running back Paxton Grayer rushed for 145 yards and two scores on 16 carries. Marcell Porter also rushed for a pair of touchdowns and Erik Harris capped the night with a 25-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter.

Cooper quarterback Clayton Nicholas accounted for most of the Cougars' production as AHS allowed CHS just 24 rushing yards. Nicholas, who scored Cooper's touchdown on a 1-yard sneak in the third quarter, was 20 of 35 passing for 205 yards, but threw four interceptions and was held without a TD pass for the first time this season.

"I knew going into the game, if we made mistakes, they would capitalize," Nicholas said. "That's an explosive offense with Paxton Grayer, Evin Abbe and Marcell Porter. If any team makes mistakes against that offense or defense, they're going to capitalize. They showed it tonight. That's a great football team. They executed on both offense and defense. I give it all to them."

KaShawn Brown had six catches for 57 yards to lead the Cougar receivers, while Lorenzo Joe had five catches for 33 yards. Tight end John Patrick set up Cooper's touchdown when he pulled in a 41-yard pass from Nicholas on a flea-flicker.

But it was too little, too late for the Coogs. After AHS settled for the first of two Taylor Peables field goals on its opening possession, the Eagles kicked things into high gear. Aguirre's first interception set up Porter's first TD.

"We just tried to go out and play our game and play aggressive," Aguirre said. "I wouldn't want to go to battle with any other teammates in the world. I just love my teammates. It was a great night to get this win."

Eagle linebacker Charles McGill, who forced two fumbles and blocked Cooper's PAT kick, sacked and stripped Nicholas on the next series to set up another field goal. Two more Cooper turnovers led to Grayer TD runs of 50 and 21 yards just 38 seconds apart as AHS wen up 28-0 less than a minute into the second quarter.

"It helped get that momentum going again, getting the offense out there and letting them get the touchdowns for us," McGill said.

The Eagles kept it up, taking a 42-0 halftime lead when McGary pulled in a 65-yard pass in the final minute of the second quarter. Lucas scored on a 20-yard reception and Porter added a 7-yard run in the third quarter to put AHS up 56-6.